Our team of specialists and staff believe that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive patient library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you. Or, for a more comprehensive search of our entire Web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.

As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.

Disorders of the Throat
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Throat & Mouth
Midwest Ear, Nose, and Throat offers specialized care for throat and mouth disorders, including:
Sore Throats
Diseases of the Tonsils/Adenoids (including Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy)
Disorders of Speech, Singing, and Voice:
hoarseness
vocal fold polyps/nodules/cysts
vocal fold paralysis
Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
Swallowing difficulties
Salivary Gland Problems
Tonsillitis
Insight Into the Treatment of the Tonsils and Adenoids
Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue that are similar to the lymph nodes or “glands” found in the neck, groin, and armpits...

Head & Neck Cancer
...Any hoarseness or other voice change lasting more than two weeks should alert you to see your physician...

Voice Surgery
...Since these cysts can form in different areas of the vocal cords, this often causes hoarseness and other vocal problems...

FAQs about Head and Neck Cancer
...The most common set of symptoms include:
Sores in the mouth, gums or tongue that do not heal
Chronic sore throat
Hoarseness or changes in the voice
Swelling and bleeding from the throat or nose
Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
Chronic headaches or earaches
Hearing impairment
Chronic sinus infections that do not clear up with antibiotics
Numbness and/or facial paralysis
Q: Who is at risk for developing oral and throat cancers...

Vocal Cord Lesion
...One of the first symptoms is hoarseness and difficulty getting words out...

Head & Neck Cancers: Causes and Treatment Options
...Symptoms may include,
Painful swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Chronic hoarseness
Persistent headaches
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Ear pain
Sinus blockage
Eye problems or vision changes
Swelling around the jaw
Facial swelling
Frequent nosebleeds
Issues with the way dentures fit
Any of these symptoms warrant a trip to our office for an evaluation, particularly if you have one or more risk factors...

What Could Be Causing Your Breathing Problems?
...You may experience some or all of the following:
Wheezing which is noticeable to other people
Persistent coughing
Mouth breathing
Voice hoarseness
Fatigue to the extreme, particularly on exertion
Throat tightness
Constant nasal congestion and frequent nose blowing
What could be the cause...

Common Vocal Cord Disorders
...One of the most common symptoms of a vocal cord disorder is hoarseness, which is present in most of the conditions above...

Swallowing Disorders
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Along with trouble swallowing, those with swallowing disorders may also experience:
Coughing after swallowing
The sensation of food being stuck in the throat
Choking
Regurgitation
Sore throat
Hoarseness
Chest discomfort
If you experience persistent issues swallowing or if you also experience vomiting, regurgitation, or unexpected weight loss along with swallowing difficulties then it’s time to see an otolaryngologist...

Types of Breathing Problems
...Early warning signs of lung cancer include:
Vocal changes
Hoarseness
Chronic cough
Bloody mucus when coughing
Shortness of breath
Feeling weak
Unexpected weight loss
Since the early warning signs associated with lung cancer can also be caused by other respiratory conditions it is important to turn to an ear, nose, and throat doctor who will be able to perform the proper diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your symptoms...

Throat
...Tonsillitis, voice disorders, and even hoarseness all interfere with our ability to communicate...

Cancer
...Signs of cancer of the head and neck include changes in the skin, pain, prolonged hoarseness, and sudden loss of voice...

About Your Voice
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Voice problems occur with a change in the voice, often described as hoarseness, roughness, or a raspy quality...

Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts
...As with vocal cord polyps and nodules, the size and location of vocal cord cysts affect the degree of disruption of vocal cord vibration and subsequently the severity of hoarseness or other voice problem...

Sore Throats
...Other important symptoms can include hoarseness, noisy breathing, a lump in the neck, unexplained weight loss, and/or spitting up blood in the saliva or phlegm...

Facial Sports Injuries
...Hoarseness or difficulty breathing after a blow to the neck are warning signs of a serious injury and the injured person should receive immediate medical attention...

Mouth Sores
...Other symptoms include a lump or mass that can be felt inside the mouth or neck; pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing; any wart-like mass; hoarseness that lasts for more than two weeks; or any numbness in the oral/facial region...